The Martin & Lewis Years

During the 1950s, who were the greatest and most influential comedy team? Why, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, of course! As if ya didn't know. Sure, ya can say, Kitty wasn't around then, but that ain't the point.

The point is, from 1949 until their breakup in 1956, Martin and Lewis made no less than sixteen movies together (me, I've only seen nine of them so far, but I'm working on it). And these movies were great. And still are. You wanna know what I think? I think they were a great team, personal differences aside.

The timing, the writing, the talent, the charm, the charisma, the magic, they were all there, and it's no wonder fans went crazy. To be honest with ya, I probably woulda too. I remember reading in a book somewhere that in the 1950s, TV ratings for Martin & Lewis appearances were only topped by Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show. And I can understand why.

Having made a bit of a study of the Martin & Lewis phenomenon in the local library (yeah, I know), I can tell ya a couple things ya might not have known, unless ya were old enough to read back in the 1950s, which I wasn't. The majority of articles that I read focused very much on Jerry, almost exclusively, and would occasionally mention something along the lines of "And Dean Martin sings." A definite short shrift. Then came the breakup, for a number of different reasons. . . Different accounts reported that either Dean or Jerry, or both, wouldn't be able to make it in a solo career. See the movie The Stooge for a good idea of this. But it didn't happen that way. The two went their separate, but successful, ways. And with the rise of the Rat Pack (or the Summit, if ya wanna get technical. . .) came also the rise of Dean Martin. Nowadays, you're a lot more likely to hear charitable statements about Dean than Jerry. . . Jerry Lewis-bashing has become an unofficial national pastime, most undeservedly so; most comments involve the French, I'm sure you've heard some of them. We won't have none o' that round here, pally. Strictly friendly terms here. It ain't our place to judge anyone, except to say that as a team, Martin & Lewis were phenomenal. Literally.

A publicity still for 1951's At War With the Army, their first starring feature, after the two "My Friend Irma" movies. A great movie, with many truly classic moments.

A scene from 1952's Sailor Beware. This movie, interestingly, and here's some useless trivia for ya, features as an uncredited extra, a young James Dean. Yes, that James Dean, as in Rebel Without a Cause. Haven't seen it yet, but it's on the list. . .

Here's a list of the Martin & Lewis movies, in chronological order. . . when I get time, I'll be reviewing them. . . nothing more fun than sitting back, relaxing, and watching a good movie. . . My Friend Irma-- 1949 My Friend Irma Goes West-- 1950 At War With the Army-- 1951 That's My Boy-- 1951 Sailor Beware-- 1952 Jumping Jacks-- 1952 The Stooge-- 1953 Scared Stiff-- 1953 The Caddy-- 1953 Money From Home-- 1954 Living It Up-- 1954 Three Ring Circus-- 1954 You're Never Too Young-- 1955 Artists and Models-- 1955 Pardners-- 1956 Hollywood or Bust-- 1956

Maybe ya'd like more info? Check these out. . . The Dean Martin Fan Center The Jerry Lewis Comedy Museum and Store

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